New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-19
CnnIktiCht anlckIy Gained the reputation OF own.

Caulktight quickly gained the reputation of own
ing one OF tue handsOmest yachts in the clubs fleet
and the number of people who claimed him as a
friend grew rapidly that he found it difficult to
reco.nze their faces, to say nothing of their names
He had almost reperted of having sunk so much of
his little fortune in a boat but when he began to
reap his reward in popularity he forgot his finances
and started III to have good time. No grass was
allowed to grow on the Grasshoppcr's bottom. She
was kept moving all the time, and her cabin was
always occupied by dozen or moro of her owners
alleged friends They were not long In teach
ing him how they liked TO be entertained; and
/ when they sat at his table, they ate and drank
such things as kings are supposed to subsst on No
regatta or cruise occurred without the Grasshopper
ms q starter. and although she was not as fast as
Cauktight had expected she did have one walk
over and won pewter mug.
When the season closed in northern waters a
cruise along the Southern coast and to Bermuda
was arranged. Caulktight had royal good time.
and all went well with him until he finally decided
to lay the Grasshopper up for season. Then IL was
that the bills began pour in, and then il was that
no discovered that he was poorer by good deal
than when he began selling ribbons by the ward.
According to custom, his steward and sailing
master had taken entire control of the disburse-
ments in their respective departments, and he was
profoundly ignorant of the extent of his indebted
ness until his creditors began TO clamor for their
money. little figuring convinced him that dur
ing the seven months the Grasshopper had been in
commission she had cost him an average Of SEQ
day, or n total of $4,000, to provide the cabin
average of 81 day EACH or SO, 900 for the season.
to furnish his crew with the necessares of life.
cost Of SIS zach time had required $500 worth of
new rigging, $500 worth OF new sails ana @l.uOU
worth OF general repairs, and had been towed off
shoals ND rivers and ont of Gains often enough to
give oxcuse for a bill for 81 900 for towage Among
the small bills were one for laundry work OF $500,
another for extra crew during race OF S3OO, ana
lot of Others, when were grouped as suhuIles anu
Caukiight, all unmiudful of his bank account.
paid the bills they came ill., until his funds we're
exhausted, and then set about trying to sell his
yacht to satisfy the rest of the demands. He had
expected, of course. to get at least as much as he
gave for the schooner; but after waiting month
or so for satisfactory bid he only too glad to
get $4,000, the amount left after q broker had
taken q 10 per cent commission ont or Slo,O0o, the
aud Caulktight, deserted by his fair-weather
friends. found himself in the plight which the
second advertisement suggests
hopper had cost $50, 500. aud that lie had spent
$26.65O running her for season. After dis
posing s,ora her he and was on nS ssp
removed from the poor-house. Wnile
yachtsmen may not remember the unfortunate
hero of this tale they WILL nevertheless rec4gnSe
curate, and some of them will wonder now ne eot
ont of it so cheaply. The cost OF running !acns
varies, of course, according to the propensity OF
the owner for entertaining. the size of the vessel,
and whether she Is used tor racing or cruising, OF
both soop forty feet long, wn,ch on ah
conId he we'll RIM for a season of six months for |
81 800 while schooner of the size of the Grass
hopper would II the owner was inclined to enter
tain much. cost fully $4,000 for the same length
of time The largest items of expense on big rae |
ing sloops like the Atlantic and Priscilla are for
wages of crew. They carry from thirty to forty |
men before the mast and the usual wages
are $50 a month. Boats of this GLASS have
TO 90 on dry-docks from six to eight times each
season to have their bottoms cleaned ana
smoothed. at an average expense each time Of $l00
Most yachts In use around New-York are fitted
with racing rigs which are never changed. When
deep water cruise 10 contemplated, IT u necessary,